Devotionals

Spurgeon's Daily Devotionals - Evening Edition

January 17

"And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed,
and walked upon the roof of the king's house." - 2 Samuel 11:2

At that hour David saw Bathsheba. We are never out of the reach of temptation.
Both at home and abroad we are liable to meet with allurements to evil; the
morning opens with peril, and the shades of evening find us still in jeopardy.
They are well kept whom God keeps, but woe unto those who go forth into the
world, or even dare to walk their own house unarmed. Those who think themselves
secure are more exposed to danger than any others. The armour-bearer of Sin is
Self-confidence.

David should have been engaged in fighting the Lord's battles, instead of which
he tarried at Jerusalem, and gave himself up to luxurious repose, for he arose
from his bed at eventide. Idleness and luxury are the devil's jackals, and find
him abundant prey. In stagnant waters noxious creatures swarm, and neglected
soil soon yields a dense tangle of weeds and briars. Oh for the constraining
love of Jesus to keep us active and useful! When I see the King of Israel
sluggishly leaving his couch at the close of the day, and falling at once into
temptation, let me take warning, and set holy watchfulness to guard the door.

Is it possible that the king had mounted his housetop for retirement and
devotion? If so, what a caution is given us to count no place, however secret, a
sanctuary from sin! While our hearts are so like a tinder-box, and sparks so
plentiful, we had need use all diligence in all places to prevent a blaze. Satan
can climb housetops, and enter closets, and even if we could shut out that foul
fiend, our own corruptions are enough to work our ruin unless grace prevent.
Reader, beware of evening temptations. Be not secure. The sun is down but sin is
up. We need a watchman for the night as well as a guardian for the day. O
blessed Spirit, keep us from all evil this night. Amen.